What type of guitar pick (plectrum) is best for me?

They come in all shapes,sizes,thickness,materials and colors...You can collect them for show and tell,you can wear them as a necklace(I have seen many of these on Ebay).You can have your name printed on them to impress your friends and fans.Many,many,different options.But when it comes right down to it,which one works best for you? Like most guitarists,I have a large collection of picks that I have collected through the years.(a guitar player can never have too many)Most are kept in a big wooden salad bowl where I practice,waiting for their chance to be picked up.Some,find their way to the laundry room in an attempt to escape by means of my jeans pocket.One of the least expensive products you can purchase at your local music store without feeling guilty about the cost! For me,I prefer the standard triangular "medium" thickness pick.I usually turn the pick around and play with the rounded side as opposed to the pointed tip.The seasoned guitar picker usually knows exactly what type pick he wants,but if your a beginner,I recommend experimenting with several different thicknesses till you find what works best for you.Get yourself a salad bowl....

Regards,                             
Stringz6

The pro's and con's of performing at open mic venues...A brief explanation

If you've ever been to a coffee shop,chances are you've heard the term "open mic" before.An "open mic" is exactly what the term implies.An open event at your local coffee shop(which usually sells,wine,snacks,coffee etc) where singers,songwriters,poets,comedians,rappers etc sign their name to a list and have the opportunity to showcase their talent.These are NOT paid gigs however, opportunities can arise from performing at them. Open mic venues are great for exposing new talent,collaborating with other performers,building up a following and gaining stage experience.That's the good news,now the bad...Most of these venues will be held on a weeknight, not a weekend in order to attract customers on a slow night and usually at 8 p.m. or later.If you work full time like myself and have to get up early,this could present a problem.Some of the performers are not considerate of others and think they are giving a concert instead of performing the usual allotted 3 songs,3 poems etc...Also,depending on who the host of the open mic is,you may find late walk ins bumped on to the list ahead of you,which can be frustrating.

*Some extra food for thought...  I have seen many performers with very large ego's stay outside until it's their time to go onstage and then leave the room as soon as their finished without any regard or consideration for other performers.(Elvis has left the building!)I always make it a point to listen and watch the other performers and give them my full support and appreciate it immensely when I'm given the same consideration...

regards,
stringz6

Why do my finger tips hurt so much when I play guitar?

When you first learn to play the guitar whether it's an electric or an acoustic you can expect some pain and dis-comfort for awhile(especially with an acoustic guitar) until the tips of your fingers start to callus(get harder).The more you practice/play the faster your finger tips will get used to it.Some folks prefer the gentle approach by learning on a classical guitar because the nylon strings are much more forgiving.You can also try some extra lite gauge strings,this will help some.I remember when I started out "on acoustic" and  learned the open "d" major chord.Ouch! I thought I'd never get it! But with time,persistence and regular practice the pain slowly went away.I believe a lot of beginners give up for this very reason! I still to this day get a little pain if I play for a long period of time,but it's because most of the time I use medium gauge strings which are thick like barbed wire,but with great tone!

Don't give up!

regards,
stringz6

My Taylor 410 with Ovangkol back

I bought this guitar at a local music shop.Price paid around $700.Previously owned but in "new" condition(a trade in).Solid sitka spruce top and solid Ovangkol back and sides(Ovangkol, for those that don't know is very similar to rosewood, but a bit brighter in sound)Indian Rosewood headstock is striking!Ebony fretboard and bridge.Mahogany neck is slim and very easy to play.That's one of the things I love so much about Taylor and Alvarez guitars,especially if you have small hands like me! The hard Taylor case that came with it is beautiful also,kind of an alligator skinned look,but the soft material scratches easily,so watch out! Also,for some reason my "g" string always is the first to break,I haven't figured that one out yet though...I dropped a Fishman humbucker in the soundhole,which actually makes the guitar sound even brighter which is good or bad depending on what music or style i'm playing.Overall,it's a wonderful guitar in my collection that I love to play...Can't buy these new anymore,but you can still find them online,price unknown.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77km5FPV0qA

keep strumming,
stringz6

My Alvarez Masterworks MD-70

A fantastic guitar for the money! I believe I paid about $700 and change,but you can now find these for considerably less online... Western cedar "solid" top,rosewood back and sides,abalone around sound hole,maple bindings,very warm sounding guitar,not bright(which is my personal preference)The neck is very easy to play also.Beware! The satin top scratches easily! Mine came with a gig case(soft shell case).It works for me,and it's kinda cool,has alot of pockets and a built in hydrometer to monitor moisture.I play this one regularly!  Great for strumming or fingerstyle also...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXbaJBPWiU4

*note: They don't sell this model with electronics,but you can have a nice sound-hole pickup installed or under the saddle transducer and/or a strap pin installed for playing while standing(I had both mods done) The pick-up I use on this guitar is an LR Baggs M1(I love it)

regards,
stringz6

My strings lose intonation and get dirty fast!!!

Anybody that plays on a regular basis knows that even if you buy coated strings (which will cause you a few bucks more)they will eventually become dis-colored,sound flat,lose intonation(wont be able to tune properly),etc...Here are some basic tips that I have found to help extend the life of your strings...

1.Wash you hands every time before you play (this will remove dirt and oils which will corrode your strings faster

2.Try to get into the habit of wiping down your strings every time your done practicing for awhile

3.I use the WD-40 pen,which I believe helps slow down the oxidizing process.There are other products on the market to try,but this is the only one I have looked into so far

*Depending on how much you practice/play,these simple steps should prolong the life of your strings.I can usually get about 3 weeks out of mine.

Regards,
Stringz6